Random RAAM thoughts- Long-picture overload

There is no way- none... to tell the story in a short amount of words.

It was crazy, amazing, exhausting, awesome, beautiful, touching, fast, slow....

The people on the team and crew were amazing... many had never met before- all working for a common goal. To get this 12 year old across the country on a bike, inspiring others to be able to do great things.

We got very little sleep- most of it just the semi conscience kind...

sick riders... Tiffany spent the night in a hospital and got chased by dogs we left her bike on the side of the road :/ Got it back though!...Ryan had dog adventure too. Crazy stocker lady chased us.

The riders were brave and amazing.... Connor never tried to get out of his turn on the road, and never complained- he was amazing... seriously, never met a 12 yr old like him.

The Team Connors Hope blog is at www.teamdonatelife.wordpress.com

One day ... I think on day 4, I had a bit of a melt down... not for me, but the riders... they were so tired, no sleep, eating habits totally disrupted, stuck in a cramped vehicle in sweaty clothes , and pushing their bodies past the breaking point.... and there was nothing the crew could do to help but words of encouragement... it was so frustrating and inspiring at the same time. I can't even imagine how they felt. And they rocked it, they were awesome!

Next time I hope to keep up on the blog even if its just a sentence a day.

For this time, this will have to do. Please go read the team blog for the "rest of the story"

At the starting line in Oceanside, CA.

A retarded train that cost us like 40 minutes!!

Ryan left his Blackberry in our car, Geoff taped it up and we told Ryan his phone had a terrible accident hahahaa

this was the view... for 3000+ miles at between 17 and 21 mph

Tiffany Ellison, Diane Christi, Sheryl & Ryan Ellison

Transition at night

Always talking race strategy

Ryan Ellison, Jared Ellison, Bobby

Conner Ellison

Picture is worth a thousand words :)

Awesome picture from Washington DC

Bobby in his element- he was awesome, always happy and encouraging

Almost to the end

WooHoo!!!

RAAM-Lull before the storm

We arrived in Oceanside today. The motel is so cute! Looks like an old mission. Views are fabulous!! Smells are heavenly!

Tonight we have a team meeting and tomorrow starts the inspections, official team pics, more meetings, strategies and rules so we don't end up with any time penalties.

I hope to be able to blog every couple days... hope being the operative word.

Sleep... hope to be able to do that for a few minutes everyday. :)

Bobby going over spread sheets and strategies

Oceanside Marina suites-view from the room balcony

Memorial Day weekend camping

I love to listen the the sound of the wind as it blows through the tops of the pine trees, watching the kids play in the dirt and throw pinecones, sitting in a chair and not being bothered by what isn't getting done, starry night skys, and crackling night fires, family and friends.

For years we went camping Memorial day weekend, Labor day, 4th of July, Easter, and every other time we could find an excuse. The last 5 or 6 years has not been that way. Bobby's work schedule and other obligations have made free weekends far and few between. Recently he changed to a day shift job, YEAH! Consequently, he has weekends off :) So when the kids wanted to go camping Memorial Day weekend, we could!

Steph & David met us there from NV, and my parents from Prescott, Alli, Kyle & Macy, and Steven and Meghan, & Deek boy.

It was fun and so relaxing!

Random photos from the weekend-

Dereks 19th birthday

Macy and Uncle Steve takin' a nap

we did put a hat over Macy to keep her out of the sun.

The boys shooting. Bobby is trying to figure out why Derek can't hit a pigeon.

I think he finally fit a couple

Macy girl in G'ma C's trailer

My sister and I always have some crafty thing to do, this year she brought felted wool and we made these adorable baby pincushions. The one in back will be a cupcake when its done. We also embellished the pins. Fun!!

In all the years we have been camping, never, have we ever gotten a flat.

Well, this years we forgot the spare... so we got a flat :(

Pin cushion project

A few months ago there was a Sewing and Crafts show at the Coliseum. I don't usually go, but got some discount tickets from a friend at church. One of the booths had some great wool stuff, I bought a couple kits :)

These pin cushions are from the pattern "Pennies and Posies" by Attic Heirlooms. The pattern has the "Pennies" pincushion on a c clamp type thing attached to a table. The one at the show was on an old rusty bed spring which, of course, I loved!

Ebay was the best place for the springs so I picked up some rusty and a few not.

They were really fairly quick to make and I love they way they turned out!

The softer colored one is a gift, the darker one will live in my sewing room :)

NAU Graduation 2010

On May 7th, Alli graduated form NAU... we are so proud of her. It was tough- while she was in school she got married, moved from her hometown, had a baby, bought a house and has

another one on the way. Many times she would call- sick to death of her stupid biology class...saying that she was done, I'd tell her she had to tell her Dad. She never would...lol! Im so glad she finished, we are so very pleased with the young lady that she is today and all she has accomplished.

Congrats Alli! You rock!

Kyle, Macy, Kathy

Alli with the NAU Lumberjack

BBQ after graduation at Greg and Janets

Alli & her cousin John, he graduated the same day

Macy checking out the yummy cake Johns wife, Sarah, made

Bobby, Alli, Kathy

Meghan, Steven, Alli, Derek

Cards for Connor

April 23 & 30

The 23rd and 30th were the nights Rachele from The ink boutique and I hosted the Cards for Connor classes. Had around 18 people participate, and raised just over $1,000.00. We hoped for more- reach for the stars, right?- however Im super happy with our results.

You can donate here.

See the cards Rachele designed for the class here.

Thank you so much to my friends, and Racheles for all the support. We had a great time.

If you have not read Connors blog yet, please do- he is an inspiring 12 year old!

Pat Tillman run, Prom

April 17, 2010

At ASU they have an annual Pat Tillman run, started after Pat Tillman-an ASU football player enlisted in the military and was killed over seas. The first few years there were a few hundred runners, its now gone to almost 30,000 run/walkers.

This is Derek's 3rd year, Chris' second, and Kati's first. The little boys did the kids run. I met the kids at ASU and took care of the littles while Chris and Kati ran . Bunches of fun spending time with the kids :)

Saturday night, Derek and Britt went to the High School prom...adorable couple, I think :)

Nathan in the kids run giving Sparky the sun devil a high 5! He was sooo excited!

Cute runners, huh? I think so!

Trav, Derek, Wes

Britt, Derek ready for Prom

Ya know- we did not teach him that- he came like that...lol